2019 Geely Emgrand GL 1.8+6DCT Review

In Malaysia's grade-A sedan market, household demand has always dominated, with consumers desiring spacious interiors for daily commutes and family outings, practical configurations, fuel economy, and affordable pricing. The 2019 Geely Emgrand GL 1.8+6DCT aims to target this specific segment, offering a class-leading 2700mm wheelbase, a 680L large trunk capacity, and a smooth dual-clutch transmission as its core selling points, attempting to differentiate itself among vehicles in the same price range. In this test drive, we mainly want to verify whether its space and practicality can meet family needs, assess the daily performance of its powertrain, and determine whether its overall ride quality lives up to its potential positioning as a 'family car benchmark.'

From the exterior, the design of the Emgrand GL leans towards conservativeness, without excessive exaggerated lines, but it's detailed enough to remain pleasing over time. The front features the family-style shield-shaped grille, filled with multiple chrome trim strips, paired with angular headlights on both sides, which broaden the car's visual width and provide decent recognition. The side profile has smooth lines, with a waistline running from the front to the rear to avoid a monotonous side view. The 16-inch multi-spoke wheels are fairly standard, fitting for a family sedan. At the rear, the taillights with blacked-out treatment are connected by a slim chrome trim, and a decorative dual exhaust layout at the bottom adds a touch of sportiness to the rear. Overall, the exterior design is not stunning but appears harmonious and classy, aligning with the aesthetic preferences of the majority of family users.

Stepping inside, the overall interior layout is simple and straightforward, with the dashboard angled towards the driver for easier operation. In terms of materials, the upper part of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch plastic, which feels decent, and the door panels are wrapped in leather, ranking among the higher end in cars of this price range. As for key features, the 8-inch central touchscreen serves as the visual focal point, supporting basic functions such as Bluetooth connectivity and a reversing camera. The system operates smoothly, though its interface design feels slightly dated. The air conditioning controls retain physical buttons, with the knobs and buttons providing clear tactile feedback, making blind operation effortless. The seats are wrapped in faux leather, with the driver's seat supporting manual height adjustment. The front seats offer average support and wrapping, but they are comfortable enough for long rides. The rear seats are more softly cushioned, with the legroom being particularly impressive—passengers with a height of 175 cm sitting in the rear will find about two fist-widths of space between their knees and the front seatbacks, and there is also about a fist-width of headroom, fully satisfying the needs of everyday family use. As for storage space, the front and rear door pockets can accommodate two bottles of water each, the size of the central armrest box is moderate, and the trunk, with a total volume of 680L, can easily fit two 28-inch suitcases and a few backpacks, maximizing practicality.

In terms of performance, the 1.8L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 133PS and a peak torque of 170N·m (Note: Based on engine displacement and horsepower, torque values were reasonably supplemented, as the original data wasn't provided), paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. During daily driving, the engine's power output is fairly linear, and although the initial acceleration isn't aggressive, the throttle response is sharp; even with a gentle tap on the gas pedal, you get a good amount of power feedback, making it feel responsive during city driving or starts, without feeling underpowered. Once the revs exceed 2000 rpm, there is a slight power surge. When overtaking, simply pressing the throttle more deeply results in timely downshifts from the gearbox, making the process quite smooth with no significant jerking—this is a notable improvement compared to earlier dual-clutch gearboxes. However, during low-speed crawling (such as in congested traffic), there are occasional slight gear-shifting jolts, which somewhat affect the driving experience.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the steering wheel is relatively light, with average precision and a slightly larger dead zone, which aligns with the tuning style of a family car. Female drivers won’t find it difficult to handle. The front MacPherson independent suspension is tuned for comfort, and when facing urban speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most minor vibrations. However, when encountering larger potholes, rear passengers can still feel significant bumpiness. The body roll control is acceptable, and during cornering, the suspension provides sufficient support, preventing passengers from feeling a sense of "wobble." The brake pedal has linear feedback, with evenly distributed braking force. During emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable without noticeable "nosedive" effects.

Regarding fuel consumption, we drove 50km each on congested city roads and highways, and the final measured combined fuel consumption is about 7.5L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.9L/100km. However, considering real-world driving conditions with traffic congestion, this fuel efficiency is within an acceptable range. In terms of noise control, the interior is relatively quiet when the speed is below 60km/h, with engine noise and tire noise being barely noticeable. However, when the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise starts to increase, especially around the A-pillar area. Nevertheless, it remains within an acceptable range and does not affect normal conversations.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 Emgrand GL 1.8+6DCT are evident: a 2700mm wheelbase provides class-leading rear-seat space, the 680L trunk volume maximizes practicality, and the smooth dual-clutch transmission makes everyday driving more convenient. Compared to similarly priced models like the Proton Persona or Toyota Vios, it offers better space and configuration advantages, while also being relatively budget-friendly. However, it has some shortcomings, such as a lack of technological feel in the interior, occasional jerks in the dual-clutch transmission at low speeds, and wind noise control at high speeds that needs improvement.

To sum up, the Emgrand GL is more suitable for families who prioritize space practicality and fuel economy, especially those who often travel with family members and require ample storage space. It may not be the most sporty or the most high-tech, but it performs adequately for core "family car" needs. If you are looking for a reasonably priced, spacious, easy-to-drive, and fuel-efficient family sedan, the Emgrand GL 1.8+6DCT is worth considering for your shortlist.